Luke 2:21 Meaning and Explanation
“And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →On the eighth day the child is circumcised and receives the name Jesus, the name the angel gave before His conception.
What Does Luke 2:21 Mean?
In obedience to the covenant given to Abraham (Genesis 17:12), the child is circumcised on the eighth day and formally named. The name is not chosen by the parents but delivered by the angel before conception (Luke 1:31): Jesus, the Greek form of Joshua, a name that proclaims the LORD as salvation.
From His first week, Jesus is placed under the law He came to fulfill, bearing the covenant mark of His people. And His name preaches: God saves. Matthew records the same instruction with the reason attached, for He shall save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). Every time the name is spoken, the mission is announced. The child's identity and His work are one.
Luke 2:21 in the Original Language
Iesous (Ἰησοῦς), 'JESUS' -- the Greek form of Joshua, a name meaning the LORD is salvation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Luke 2:21
What does Luke 2:21 mean?
On the eighth day the child is circumcised and receives the name Jesus, the name the angel gave before His conception.